EXCLUSIVE: Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions and JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot just set Justin Lin to direct Star Trek 3, filling the biggest open directing assignment out there with the filmmaker credited with reviving the Fast & Furious series. Lin helmed four of the films that grossed $1.9 billion in worldwide box office.

He replaces Roberto Orci, who got that job after being involved as co-writer of the revamped Star Trek series. The first two installments were directed by Abrams, who then left to direct a revival of the Star Wars franchise with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I reported that several top-ranked filmmakers were in contention, but I’m told that Lin was the only one offered the job. He is available because he was going to direct the sequel to The Bourne Legacy spinoff with Jeremy Renner, but that film got postponed when Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass agreed to do another installment of The Bourne Identity, which Universal wants to come first. Lin was courted to return to the Fast & Furious franchise to do a multi-part finale, but I am not sure whether that will be in the cards in light of the Star Trek job. Orci remains a producer on the Star Trek film. The first one grossed $380 million worldwide in 2009, and the sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, grossed more than $460 million worldwide after opening in May 2013.

So basically, Paramount wants us to know that “Star Trek” is now an action franchise. Got it.

ASFan • on Dec 22, 2014 5:24 pm

With Lin taking on Star Trek 3, perhaps that means James Wan will return for Fast 8.

Jeff • on Dec 22, 2014 7:26 pm

Is that good? I honestly don’t know.

ASFan • on Dec 23, 2014 10:46 am

Have to wait and see. It always felt premature to announce that Lin might be taking back the reins to Fast 4-5 months before the newest one would be released. Considering Universal has an option on Wan to return to direct another Fast film, them allegedly going back to Lin suggested one of two things: They would try to accelerate production on 8, which does not feel appropriate under the circumstances, or they’re supposedly not happy with Wan’s work, which is cause for concern over the film’s quality despite the awesome trailer.

I have always been a fan of all the Star Trek series, good and bad, so PLEASE just one GREAT Star Trek movie before I pass on to the greater existence, but I do love and respect all those who have tried in previous existences, I truly love Sci-Fi.

They still have no script and budget. Also the rights to Star Trek revert back to CBS on 01/01/2015. Which means that the script will also have to meet the approval of CBS, who hate the reboots as they basically ruined the legacy of Roddenberry.

Gracie Hunter • on Dec 22, 2014 7:08 pm

So, there’s still hope then.
After the first Abrams travesty, I was stunned.
The second attempt can only be described as a Star Trek “parody”.
That’s being generous.
Will CBS bring Star Trek back from “video game” level of writing and start producing good stories with good writing and directing again?
Time will tell.

You do realize that Paramount/CBS could not care less about the ‘Legacy’ of Roddenbury as much as how much they can make a buck off Trek, right? And both of the Nu-Star Trek films have made them a fair chunk of coin. All the production was made back domestically on ST:ID and it’s made about half a billion or so in theatre sales alone, not including DVD/Blu-Ray. That looks pretty good for the bottom line

Ian • on Dec 23, 2014 7:54 am

Where did you get the idea that CBS obtains the rights to anything more than they already have? Paramount has rights to past and future Star Trek movies in perpetuity, CBS gets the TV franchise.

Eh, not sure I care. I’ve given up on Star Trek in the movies being anything other than interchangeable action nonsense. I hope Lin at least has the sense to send the crew into space and get away from Earth; and not steal from previous and better movies.

Anonymous • on Dec 22, 2014 5:54 pm

So so much for an intelligent movie, then. Just all spaceships shooting at each other. Which is also cool, but . . . not worthy of the name Star Trek.

Thomas • on Dec 22, 2014 6:35 pm

happy about this… while f&f6 was totally ridiculous, it was tremendously fun… maybe with a good script this will be a home run. it should be noted that lin and orci are both producers on scorpion together…

I seriously hope he has more cars up his sleave than what he has showcased on the F&F films

Tracy McClain • on Dec 22, 2014 7:37 pm

Star Trek 2 was disgustingly bad; Star Trek 3 now promises even worse. In the midst of the most golden of ages of television – programming brimming with wit and intelligence and excitement – Hollywood further demonstrates it’s out for the moron money. Roddenberry was ahead of his time, and Paramount is behind the times. I’m done with the new Star Treks.